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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Michael Taaffe #DB51 of Texas participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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The Arizona Cardinals are in need of another safety. Jalen Thompson unfortunately left in free agency and the team signed Andrew Wingard away from the Philadelphia Eagles. But every defensive backfield needs three capable safeties.
Currently in the safety room are Pro Bowler Budda Baker, Kitan Crawford, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, and Joey Blount.
RELATED: SAFETY BUD CLARK PROFILE
In the meantime, does the safety room need another capable body?
Michael Taaffe is also a highly-regarded safety. He is a smart kid with good awareness on the field, most likely at strong safety. He is a guy who can come in and instantly compete for the open starting job next to Delpit.
Defensive backs coach Cristian Garcis hasconsistently valued instinctive, physical defensive backs who can operate in multiple roles. All of this represents Taaffe.
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S Michael Taaffe
Draft projection: Round 5
Cardinals pick: #143
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Specifics:
College: Texas
Height: 6’-0”
Weight: 189 pounds
40-time: 4.5
Career Tackles: 222
Career Forced Fumbles: 1
Career Sacks: 3
Career Tackles for Loss: 9.5
Interceptions: 7
Career Pass Defenses: 14
Career games: 53
Accolades: First Team All-American, First Team All-SEC, Second Team All-American (2024), Wuerffel Trophy winner
Positives:
- Tremendous coverage skills
- Great anticipation rather than being physical
- Natural ball tracking
- Seven career picks, so he knows how to find the ball
- Versatility in that he can play box, free safety, and in the slot
- Genuine coachability
- Superior special teams guy
- Leader
- Shows up in big games
Negatives:
- Athletic limitations
- Bit undersized
- Bigger tight ends an issue
- Not able to take on offensive linemen
- Too many missed tackles
- Will overrun pursuit angles
- Limited recovery speed
Expert Draft Site Analysis
Bucs Wire
Taaffe brings a unique and experienced profile to this draft class, appearing in over 50 career games while developing into a key contributor in Texas’ secondary. A former walk-on who earned his role, Taaffe steadily worked his way into a starting position and became one of the more reliable defensive backs on the roster. Taaffe continued to contribute, making plays across multiple phases of the defense, including interceptions, tackles for loss, and consistent involvement in the run game before dealing with injury late in the season. Across his career, Taaffe has consistently shown the ability to produce in big moments, including interceptions in key games and strong performances against high-level competition.
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